Creatively Inspired.. a summer art challenge

 

This summer I knew I would have a lot of down time.. but  I REALLY wanted to do something to keep my creativity going!  I wanted do try something unique and different so  I thought a challenge for myself would be a great way to keep me going from week to week. Plus I thought it would be fun incorporate techniques and ideas I don't normally play with.

I was talking to my daughter about how I am always in AWE of ideas or pieces of art I see on the internet.. not just in mixed media art, but photography, sewing, en-caustic, jewelry, papercrafting.. the list goes on. So many talented women and men out there with some serious creative mojo.  And then it hit me! Why not do a challenge where each week I find someone.. a friend, a fellow blogger, an etsy store owner and hi-light a piece of THEIR art and then create a piece inspired by it! I loved the idea.. and mainly because I have so many awesome and talented artists I amdire..  who are creative in TOTALLY different mediums than I am. I wanted to expand my own creativity just a bit by using them as a mentor for my creative play. so I am excited to bring you a new summer series..

Creatively Inspired.. a summer art challenge

my first challenge is inspired one VERY brilliant gal..  Junelle Jacobsen.. and she is ONE amazing artist. She is a photographer at heart (which by the way.. she is coming here in September to take our family photos.. CAN NOT WAIT).., but she is also extremely  talented when it comes to mixed media, canvas and paint. I don't think she knows how talented she really is.. but I describe her as "Brilliant"

how I met Junelle was through the two workshops I currently offer.  She was a student in both.. and one afternoon I was enjoying some time just looking through the FLICKR gallery where students post their work from the class.  I kept seeing this AMAZING work and just seriously blown away by not just by the design, but the thought and technique put into it. I didn't realize it at first.. but all of the  pictures I kept commenting on.. were the same person's art.. Junelle's art.  So I immediately went to her profile and found her info.. then headed over to her blog and soon found out she was not only an awesome mixed media artist.. but a brilliant photographer as well!  (I have also recently hired her to start doing the kit photos for the Scarlet Lime website.. can't wait! lol) 

 Well one of the projects she posted.. that I fell crazy in love with..  it was an art journal piece she made for my 3 Hearts workshop..  this piece right here..

 
 

I WAS IN LOVE...

 

I love how she had taken book paper or any kind of paper for that matter and rolled it randomly into tubes and used it as a background AND an emebellishment on her art journal page. I could see incorporating this technique onto so many other things! (Like fabric and canvas! )

 

I love how she painted over the top of it.. just as if it was part of the background to her page.. I call it Paper Art. (not sure what she calls it..) but whatever it is.. it's brilliant.

 

After spending some time.. wiping the drool of my chin.... I emailed her and first asked her, if she would be a part of my summer art challenge and  if I could use this piece as inspiration for my own art piece. THEN  I asked her if she would be my friend and come take my family photos and play with my in my art garage and be my email buddy..  I think she thought I was a bit psycho! lol.. hopefully she doesn't. :)

After she replied back yes.. I knew I wanted her to be the first piece in my new summer series. I didn't want to do an art journal piece.. I wanted to create something that I could hang on a wall, so I created my piece on canvas. But this could SO easily be done with fabric on a dress, or wall quilt, or a pillow, or a piece of wood, inside a frame.. the possibilities are endless.  I didn't ask her how she did the technique.. because that is where the inspired part comes in. I wanted to look at her art and being inspired by what I saw.. and create my own piece inspired by it.  Here is what I came up with..  

 

I used a 10x10 canvas as my base..  I loved her color scheme so much.. I used that as inspiration as well.

 

I also liked her heart theme  so I used it too, though I  did end up making another piece that was in the shape of a flower.. turned out so cool as well (it's in the video below).

 

Once I painted over the paper rolls  I  added texture onto them like paint, stamps, rubons, and even my doodle pen.. I added another layer of dimension with the corrugated heart (which I made in the 3 hearts workshop)

 

 I made sure to alternate different sizes of the rolled paper, as well as use a mixture of patterns like dictionary paper, text paper and music paper.

 

I had SO much fun trying this technique out.. It truly WAS super cool.
I am going to for sure try this technique on other mediums. I can see a really cool pillow being made with this technique and rolled fabric.. I have the perfect fabric for it too. Might post that later.. :)

This was only one of Junelle's awesome pieces I was inspired by... she had so many more I loved.. but this Paper Art Technique was really cool.

AND..

I made a little video for you to show you how I interpreted this technique and created this canvas piece. But before I leave you with that.. I wanted to encourage YOU to also join me in this adventure! Find a way to stay creatively inspired this summer.. whether it's be doing your own challenge.. or taking a class, or getting together with friend to just create art. Have fun with it! You deserve it! Speaking of classes.. I know I mentioned today I would be annoucing  some new "Mini" workshops coming this summer.. but I am going to wait and announce them next monday.. so watch for those two workshops.. info coming soon!
AND THANK YOU to Junelle.. what a great way to kick of my summer.. being creatively inspired by her.. she is truly brilliant. Love that chicka!

Next week I will be heading out of town for an entire week to volunteer at my church's girls camp. We will be camping, hiking, floating the river.. and of course.. creating a little art.. which I can't wait for! I am going to teach them to create the She ARt Girls as one of the art projects. It will be so fun. So depending on what I am able to get done this week.. I may or may NOT post a creatively inspired Challenge next wednesday.. but if I can get my creative butt in gear, I will get a post ready before i leave :)..

okay.. enough talk! Onto the video..

here is a Behind the Art Video.. Creatively Inspired.. Paper Art.

Happy Wednesday!

 

 

Comments

[Lori Souter]

Christy.....thank you for sharing this...How fun is this going to be!

Lori

[Larissa Heskett]

OMG GIRLIE!! =) I LOVE IT!! =)
I LOVE YOU and YOUR VIDEOS!! I can't wait for the next one and to see your new releases!! I sure hope you'll be sharing them on your blog with us!!?? Also, I AM SO EXCITED!! I am coming to SPARK!! =) I found out who was all going to be there and well, WHO COULD MISS IT!! =) I am so GIDDEE, I just can't hardley wait to play and create and meet all of you FABULOUS WOMAN in person!! HAVE A FABULOUS WEEKEND!! =)

[Marilyn Nimmo]

What a wonderful idea - love your creative inspiration challenge. This is such a fabulous technique. Thanks for sharing.

[Sandy]

You always make my day when I watch those videos! Thanks for sharing Christy!

[Giovanna]

love love love
so many ideas puking on my notebook
thanks for sharing Christy and
THANK YOU JUNELLE!!!!!

[ida]

wow! this project lit a fire for me too. it has great appeal for so many reasons. this video is great and thanks for sharing your inspiration

[Susan]

How fun! I want to try this! Thanks for the video!

[Pam Staley]

I agree with Michelle - I am totally addicted to watching your videos each day! I noticed Junelle's creations on Flickr also because they are so unique. The girls at camp will have a blast! Does your sweet daughter get to go with you? What fun!

[Joan]

Christy, I'm so thrilled you're featuring Junelle - she is AWESOME (just gave her a blog award a few weeks back, she truly rock my world!). This technique with the paper rolls is such creative fun and I love your result too using this inspired technique. Ooh, and now I must go watch that video - thanks SO much!
xo

[Chantal]

I also want to try.
Thank so much for inspiration

[Carmen Crosseti Henriquez]

Love it! Can´t wait to try it on a layout!! Thanks for share!

[Sandra]

Thanks for the wonderful inspiration. I just loved to see the picture and the film!
Also the work of Junelle is just great to look at!
I got a question: I fell in love with the butterfly stamp in the film. Can I find this in your shop?

[vikki]

~♥love.love.love this! whadda great idea & love. the fabric idea way, too...
like you said too frickin' cool! {say that alot, meself!} =) thank*U for sharing & caring to pass this on to us! will enjoy trying this! hugs & blessings, vikki♥~

[Cheryl Waters - Fiskateer #002]

Loved! Hoping this summer we can take a creative adventure together! Summer time, summer time! Love ya!

[Cheryl]

I just finished a "Girl" this morning and I was hoping for an inspirational Post from you to keep me moving creatively. As usual, you didn't disappoint!
Thank you for turning my "craft room" into an inspired "Art Studio".

[Junelle]

Loved your piece~ the colors are truly delicious. Yum.

Thank you Christy ~ I am so thankful for the love and encouragement, it goes a long way in an artist's heart!

This series will be a great creative way to see & learn so many techniques and share new artists with us all! So cool~

I always adore the videos too. I am so glad you provide the messy fingers show and tell!!!

[kim]

SO cute! Thanks for sharing~I can't wait to try it too! :)

[Danielle]

Wow, both of these creations are amazing! I have so many ideas inspiring me and so little time! LOL! These are just gorgeous...will be checking out the video next!

[Jynene]

i love these! thank you for sharing... fun!

[Carol Miller]

Great Video Christy. I've missed your voice. Enjoy your summer.